McCabe ruled out for second Test

Hard-running Australia centre Pat McCabe has been ruled out of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday as he struggles to recover from a neck injury.

McCabe was one of three Wallabies players taken off the field by stretcher during their 23-21 defeat in the first test Brisbane on Saturday and will not recover in time to take on the Lions at Docklands.

“Pat McCabe won’t be available this week … We may know more about the significance of (it), whether he’s just irritated it or there’s something new there,” a Wallabies team spokesman said in Melbourne on Monday.

Berrick Barnes, who came off after a heavy clash with Israel Folau in the match at Lang Park, will have further assessments on his head injury, while versatile back Adam Ashley-Cooper was also in doubt for the second Test after coming off nursing a sore shoulder.

Livewire winger Digby Ioane was also nursing a shoulder knock and would be assessed over the course of the week, the spokesman said.
-ABC